10 2nd-Year Players to Watch this Upcoming Football Season
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by Wizardman
Welcome to the football preseason. This is a time where everyone plays a bunch of teams in games that mean nothing, except to see developement in some players and decide who makes the team. Everyone begins their blogs of which rookies to watch out for, when most football rookies don't make a huge impact. Some do, such as Vince Young and Marques Colston, but others just blend in at first, waiting for their moment to strike (Big Ben). So, here are 10 players who made an impact last season (or didn't) to watch out for. They are in no order because there would be too many factors to determine who goes where. So, here they are. I'll start with 3 obvious ones:
Vince Young
I'll get one of the obvious ones out of the way now. He was most of the Titans offense last year, and he's gonna be even more of it this year after losing his receivers. What might be cause for concern is second-year burnout if he has to do too much (Cadillac Williams anyone?) but also the Madden Jinx. I'm a believer in it, that's why I traded Shaun Alexander last year in my fantasy league in what was probably my best trade. I also had Vince Young, so from a fantasy eye i know what he's capable of on the field. Can he overcome a lot of obstacles this season?
Marques Colston
What a story last season for this guy. Pick 252 and over 1000 yards? I'm pretty sure that doesnt happen every season. (David Tyree was a 6th round WR in 2003, he's the last late-round guy I could find with a Pro Bowl appearance) He's a must-watch guy right up there with Young as well, I believe. However, he's going to be the main receiver this year with the departure of Joe Horn. Horn's excellence made it a little easier for Colston last season, will he be shell-shocked being the #1 guy?
Devin Hester
This guy was crazy last season. Best special-teams guy, tied a record, broke another. So he'll be just as effective this season right? Believe me, he's on everyone's radar this season. He's not gonna sneak around guys as easily as he did. Can he be just as great, if nt greater, this season?
Now, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Mario Williams, and Jay Cutler are on everyone's watchlists as well, for various reasons. I'm going to skip them just because I want to point out some people to watch who may be more obscure, or not on your guys radar as people to watch. Here are the other 7:
Jerious Norwood
Yes, here's the guy who, though picked in the third round, made an immediate impact, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. This is crazy.in itself, having 633 yards as a rookie and only being the #3 rusher on a team. Now, Warrick Dunn's aging and Michael Vick may or may not be a factor this season. This leaves Norwood with a lot more o he workload, and quite honesty, anything short of a 1000 yard season may end up being a disappointment.
Laurence Maroney
Yet another one of my fantasy rookies. (My last one though, so you don't have to hear me talk about that anymore) Maroney and Dillon were a very effective on-two punch. Maroney comes from a good pro-running school in Minnesota, so hes certainly capable of being an all-pro running back with time. That time comes this season though, since without Dillon he's gotta be their go-to guy on the run. He doesn't have to do too much, but if the Brady-Moss connection crumbles, he'll really have to step up.
Kamerion Wimbley
Who? A guy on the Browns? Yeah, one who had 11 sacks last season and went completely unnoticed. I mean, he pretty much was the Browns' line back there. He was one of the true bright spots for us this season. Can he be that effective this season, with everyone on the lookout for him? Well, this guy may very well be able to hit double-digits again. Who else do the Browns have?
DeMeco Ryans
Mario Williams was not even the Texans' best draft pick last year, it was this guy. The Defensive RoY, and the leader in tackles, you have to wonder if he can repeat the same success again this year. Can he be even more of a presence this season? Can he make it eaier for Super Mario if people are after him? Again, the Texans don't have much else.
Ko Simpson
Donte Whitner, the Bills' first safety played well, amassing 70-odd tackles and 2 picks. Wait, Whitner had half of that, it was the Bills' second-day Safety pick that got those. Hell be the starting Strong Safety alongside Whitner, and with Simpson being considered a steal that low las year, can he increase those stats and become a great safety? The bills have had good tandems in the past, let's see if these two can do it.
Greg Jennings
Jennings emerged as a pretty reliable rookie receiver last year for Brett Favre. Donald Driver seems to be playing well again, so Jennings simply has to be a great #2 receiver. Can he impress us and help solidify the Packers' offense? More importantly, we'll he be the one t catch #420 or #421?
Deuce Lutui
And here's my pick that's WAY out of left field. Let's say Levi Brown looks up the Right Tackle spot. Well, with Deuce at Right Guard you'd have to hope that the right side if decent for Leinart. I mean Deuce DID help Leinart win a couple of titles and USC, no excuse for him to not be able to guard him at the pro level. If he can improve his game and make part of the Arizona line NOT suck, how big would it be for Arizona?
So here are my 10 to watch. Feel free to disagree, though if it's because I didn't put a couple obvious ones on the list, like I said, they;re not there because their obvious.
